Girdle or like garment



' March 28, 1950 H. M. HERBENER 2,501,899

Y G RDLE 0R LIKE GARMENT Filed Nov. 10, 1945 v i I s vsheets-sheet 1 nel f March 28, 1950 H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE 0R LIKE GARMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l0, 1945 www,

March 28, 1950 H. M. HERBENER GRDLE OR LIKE GARR/[ENT Filed NOV. i0, 1945 Patented Mar.,v 2 8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GIRDLE R LIKE GARMENT Henry M. Herbener, Thomasville, Ga.

Application November 10, 1945, Serial No, 627,857

18 Claims.

- My invention relates to girdles or like garments.

An important object of the invention is to pro.- vide means for eliminating the jabbing effect of ribs and increasing the comfort of the garment.

A further. object of the invention is to provide means whereby short ribs protect the body from the end thrust of the long ribs.

A further object of the'invention is to provide means to prevent the girdle from rolling at its topand also eliminating the jabbing eiect of the ribs.

A further object of the invention isto provide ribreceiving pockets which are nonelastic on one side and elastic on the` other side.

A further object of the invention is to provide agarment of theabove mentioned character, hav.- ing portions suiiiciently elastic to permit of the relative turning movement of the short ribs about the long ribs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a; garment of the above mentioned character having increased flexibility for promoting the comfort of the wearer without decreasing the control of thei'lgure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment having; a pocket construction which will enable the user tol quickly and conveniently insert and remove the ribs.

A further object ofthe invention is to providea Along rib having `arsliort rib hinged to its end, the shortrib-moving with the body and covering; the end of the long rib',A when the long rib is flexed, eliminatingv the-jabbing effect of the long rib.

Afurther'objectof the invention is to provide a long rib having; a knee joint connection with a short rib,for producing aninner pressure against the body throughout the combined length of the llong and short ribs, and. permitting the short rib turning `about, the. long rib and remaining in substantially nat contact with the body, when the body moves outwardly to` ex the long rib.

A further object. of the invention is to provide a hinged connection. between the long and short Y ribs and a shoulder to take the end thrust of and the, maximum control at the buttocks, with f means for preventing rolling at the top.

Qther objects and advantages of `the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

, In the accompanying drawings forming. a part of. this application,` and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is. a perspective view of an elastic girdle employing my invention, y

Figure 2 is an inner side elevation of the front panel, parts of the girdle being broken away,

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the elastic band Secured to the top of the body portion of the girdle, parts in section,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a similar View taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a. similar view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3,

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the front panel, viewed from the inner side, the top of the panel being raised and the elasticStrip not as yet being attached thereto,

Figure 8 is a similar view of. the front panel with the elastic strip attached to the top of the front panel,

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section taken on line 9.-9,of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the front panel, the top of the panel and the elastic strip being folded over and parts stitched to produce the upper short rib holding pockets,

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section taken on line l l-l I of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a perspective View of the front panel, showingl the short rib holding pockets bent back for either. the removal or insertion of the short ribs into or from place,

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section taken on line |13-I3 of Figure 12, upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section taken on Aline 14,-I4 of Figure. 10, upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 15 is av perspective view of the long and short ribs at both ends thereof,

Figure 16 is an inner side elevation of the front panel of the girdle, the girdle broken away, showing a modified form of stiffening ribs,

Figure 1'7 is a longitudinal section taken on line lI-I'I of Figure 16, upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 1 8 is a perspective view of the rear of the girdle,

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the short and long ribs,

Figure 20 is a longitudinal section taken. on line 20--20 of Figure 1.5, upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 21 is a similar view taken on line 2 l-2I of Figure 16,

Figure 22 isa perspective View of a moded form of intermediate short rib and associated long ribs,

Figure 23 is a longitudinal section taken on line 23--23 of Figure 22, showing the assembled short and long ribs,

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a further modified form of intermediate short rib and associated long ribs, and,

Figure 25 is a longitudinal section through the assembled short and long ribs, taken on line 25-25 of Figure 24.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention is being called first to Figures 1 to 15 inclusive, and 18 to 20 inclusive, the numeral 25 designates the body portion of an elastic girdle, which body portion is preferably two-way stretch and is made of woven or knitted elastic fabric, preferably containing rubber threads. Arranged at the front of the body portion is a front panel 26, formed of a flexible fabric and preferably non-elastic. The panel 26 is secured to the longitudinal edges of the body portion 25, preferably by zig-zag lines of stitching 21. The numeral 28 designates a rear panel, preferably formed of a one-way vertical stretch elastic fabric, preferably containing rubber threads. The upper end of the rear panel 28 is tapered upwardly to provide a reduced portion 29.

The marginal edges of the back panel 28 are secured to the elastic body portion 25 by zig-zag stitching 30. The tapered portion 23 enables the body portion to be cut for providing upper portions 3| at the back of the garment, which increase in width upwardly, so that the elastic body portion 25 is substantially continuous at or near its top at the back of the garment for a reason to be more fully explained.

The numeral 32 designates a one-way horizontal stretch elastic fabric band, which is attached to the top of the body portion 5 and extends from one edge of the front panel 26 preferably entirely around the garment to the opposite edge of the front panel. This elastic band is secured to the top of the body portion 25 by a zig-zag line of stitching 33'. The elastic band 32 is also stitched to the upper enlarged portions 3l and the reduced end of the rear panel 28. The opposite ends of the band 32 are stitched to the edges of the front panel 26 by means of j the lines of stitching 21.

In the former method of construction, the nonelastic front panel and the one-way vertical stretch rear panel were continued to the top of the girdle and their wide upper ends materially reduced the total elasticity of the upper band at the waistline. This rendered it difficult to apply the garment to the user and pass the reduced waistline over the hips. To overcome this disadvantage, I have formed the panel 28 tapered at its top so that the two-Way elastic body portion 25 and the one-way horizontal stretch elastic band 32 are substantially continuous at the back of the garment at the waistline, and the stretch at the waistline will occur substantially continuously around the waistline from the opposite edges of the front panel.

The elastic band 32 has alternate transverse vpairs of short pockets 33 and long pockets 34,

which may be woven therein. The outer ends of the short pockets 33 extend adjacent to the edges of the band 32. The top ends of the upper short pockets 33 are formed closed. The inner ends of the short pockets 33 in each pair are connected by a bottleneck 35, and the lower end of 4each lower short pocket `has a bottleneck 36.

The upper end of each long pocket 34 is formed closed while its lower end has a bottleneck 31. The ends of the long pockets 34 terminate at substantially the longitudinal centers of the short pockets 33. The short pockets 33 receive short stiifening ribs 38, extending throughout substantially the entire length of these pockets. These short ribs are preferably flexible and may be formed of spring steel covered with Celluloid. The long pockets 34 receive stiening ribs 4U extending throughout their entire length, and these long ribs are preferably formed of spring steel and may be coated with Celluloid. The inner ends of the short pockets 33 are closed by lines of stitching 4| and the inner end of the long pockets 34 are closed by lines of stitching 42. The bottlenecks 36 are closed by the line of stitching 33. By Virtue of the arrangement of the short and long ribs, the short ribs 38 turn upon transverse axes in alignment with the ends of thelong ribs 40, thereby eliminating the jabbing action of the long ribs, the short ribs remaining substantially fiat and parallel with the body. The combined action of the short and long ribs prevents the rolling action of the girdle at the top.

The numeral 39 designates a one-way horizontal stretch elastic fabric strip, which is se- :cured to the upper free end of the panel 26 by a line of preferably zig-zag stitching 48. After the elastic strip 39 is secured to the free end of the panel 26, this panel is folded inwardly and downwardly upon a horizontal line 4l, pro- Viding a two-layer band or zone. These two layers are now stitched together by lines of stitching 42, forming pockets 43, closed at their upper ends and open at their lower ends. These pockets have upper vertical narrow pocket portions 44 and lower wide pocket portions 45, which diverge or flare downwardly. The elastic strip 33 forms a portion of the inner side of the wide pocket portion 45, for a purpose to be described.

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Long pockets 46 are formed upon the inner face of the panel 26 and are produced by one-way longitudinal or vertical elastic fabric strips 41, secured to the panel by 'lines of stitching 48. The line of stitching for each strip 41 is continuous at the bottom of the pocket, to close the same, but is discontinued between the points 49, so that the one-way stretch elastic strip 41 is free at its edges between the points 49 to increase the elastic action. The line of stitching 48 continues from the upper points 49 to the top of the pocket. The upper ends of the pockets 46 are open and these upper ends project for a short distance beneath the elastic strip 39.

The various elements of the front and rear panel are assembled before these panels are secured to the body portion 25.

The numeral 50 designates the longr ribs which are suitably stiff and flexible and are preferably formed of spring steel covered with Celluloid. Arranged at the opposite ends of each long rib 50 are short hinged ribs 5I which are preferably rigid and may be formed of brass covered 'with Celluloid.

Each rib 5I has a horizontal shoulder 52, providing end portions 53 and 54, which are laterally offset. The short rib was formed from a flat strip and before the strip was formed to produce the shoulder 52, tongues 55 were stamped from the flat strip and these tongues remain straight when the shoulder is formed. The rib 59 is provided at its ends with openings 56, and the tongues 55 are passed through these openings and bent into loops or knuckles. Each short rib is therefore permanently hinged to the end of the long rib, and the end thrust between these parts is taken up by the end of the rib engaging the shoulder 52. It is'l preferred to apply a layer ot plastic material 51. to the face of the end portion 54 next to theb'ody, whereby av smooth continuous Surface throughout the entire length oi',` thefshort. rib is presented next to theV body.

When inserting. each long rib t and its short ribs 5i into the pocket, the. top portion of the front panel 25 is bent` outwardly on about the line of stitching 4D', Figures 12 and 13, whereby the lower wide pocket portion 45 of the pocket 43` extends upwardly in somewhat an inclined position, while the upper narrow pocket portion 44 extends downwardly. The lower short rib 5i and` the long rib 5B are now passed downwardly through the upper end ofthepocket 46 and when. the lower short rib 5i approachesthe lower end of the pocket 416, the upper short rib 5i, which is now swung outwardly, enters the wide pocket portion 45, the inner side of whichV is elastic and may readily yield. The top portion of the panel 2t is now folded upwardly and inwardly, and the flaring wide pocket portion 45 will guide the outer end 54 of the upper shortrib 5i into the Vertical narrow pocket portion 44,

and this action will also complete the downward movement of the long rib so that the lower short rib will engage the lower closed end of the pocket 4'8. By the reverse of this operation, each long rib and its associated short ribs may be removed, for washing the garment or for other purposes. The pockets 43 may be bent back further, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 13. Further, since theseV ribs are removable, ribs of` different lengths may be used, the length of the pockets 45 being adjusted by stitching transversely across the lower portions of the pockets at any desired elevation. It is therefore possible tok employ long ribs or combine long and short ribs of the proper length to suit the particular wearer.

When the girdle is applied to the wearer, the flat faces of the short ribs 5i are next to the body and the inner end portions 53 overlap the inner ends of the long ribs 55. This provides a kneeejoint hinge which will permit the short rib to swing with respect to the long rib. The short rib remains'in flat contact with the body and covers the end oi' the long rib, thereby taking the thrust and preventing the jabbin'g action which will be caused by the uncovered end of the long rib. The same action occurs with the upper and lower short ribs. This action is il lustrated diagrammatically in Figure 19, wherein the short rib 5l is tilted and remains parallel with and in contact with the body, while the upper end ofthe long rib 5t is'fleX-ed outwardly, the body contacting with the long rib beneath the short rib. Since a knee-joint hinge is afected between the long and short ribs, the combined long and short ribs produce an elongated rib which transmits the inward pull, due to the elastic action of the body portion 25, which will produce the same body control as a continuous long rib.

The'elasti'c strip 39 permits the lower end por tion 53 of the short rib to freelyswing or tilt', while the flexibility of the top of the panel permits the upper end portion 54 to swing or tilt. The-lower short rib 5I is positioned in the lower portion of the pocket 46 so that its hinge is in substantial alignment with the lower point' 49, Figure 2. The unsewed portion of the strip 41 between the points 49 increases the elastic action of the strip 41, allowing the inner end portion 53of the short ri-b to swing'inwardly freely, the

6. ileznbility of.y the panel permitting the outer end portion 54v to swing outwardly, when the wearer. bends forwardly.

I also contemplate dispensing with the means for forming the pockets 43 and continue the pockets 46 to the topof. the panel and form thesea pockets closed at the top and leaving their lower ends open for inserting they ribs. The ribs are then inserted. through the lower ends of the pockets, and theselower ends arey subsequently closed by stitching. When this is'done, the side.

stitchingv is'v omitted adjacent to the upper shortv rib,` as indicated between the points 49 in connection with the lower'short rib.

In Figures 16, 1'7 and 21, I have shown a modication of the invention. In this modification, each long rib is formed. in sections 56', carrying the short ribs 5I` at their outer ends. The inner ends of the long rib sections 50 are ar ranged adjacent to an'intermediate short rib 51, whichk is preferablyy rigid and formed of` brass coated with Celluloid. This short ribhas flat end portions 53V and is formed at its center to provide a U-shaped portion 59, including a side 64 and horizontal shoulders 61. The intermediate rib is formed from a flat. strip and before the hatY stri-p is bent or formed, straight tongues 59 are stamped from the same, and these tongues are subsequently bent into loopsv and passed through openings 63. formedl inthe inner ends of the riby sections 55,. The U-shaped portion 59 is preferably illed with plastic:Y material G4, providing a continuous straight face. upon the inner sideY of the short' rib 51, next to the. body. The end portions 53- overlap the inner face of the rib sections i, providing a` double knee-joint hinge, permitting the rib sections 50 to swing outwardly or forwardly with respect to the Short rib 51, but `preventing the rib sections 50 from swinginginwardly toward the body with respect to the ends 58. This permits the wearer to bend. forwardly and permits theY girdle to maintain the same control as if acontinuous rib were used. The short. rib 51 remains parallel with and in contact with the body and the inner ends of the rib sections 5U' arecovered so that they cannot jab intoy the wearer; As shown in Figure 16, the; line of stitching 48 is discontinued between the points 49, as described in connection with the first form of the invention'.` It is also discontinued between the` points 65 and is discontinued between points 66:, and is continued between points'49 and 65, points B5 and 66, between the upper points 66 and the top of the pocket and about the lower end of the pocket.` This permits of the proper swinging movement of the lower short rib 5| with respect to the lower rib section 56 and the swinging movement of the intermediate short rib 51 with respect to the upper and lower rib sections 5U.

In' Figures 22 and 23, I have shown a modied form of intermediate short rib 61, to be substituted for the intermediate short rib 51. This intermediate rib 61 has a U-shaped portion 68 forming shoulders 69 and end portions 10. The intermediate rib S1 is stamped vfor providing wide slots 1|, and narrow tongues 12 within these slots. Thetongues12 remain permanently within the planes of the parts B9 and 1li, The rib sections 50' arev provided with outwardly projecting apertured knuckles 13. Each rib section 5t' may be arranged at approximately a right angle to the end portion 1li, and the apertured knuckles 13 inserted into the wide slots 10, and the tongues 12 threaded into the aperturesoithe knuckles 13. These knuckles are then slid inwardly upon the tongues 12, while the rib section 50' is swung toward the end portion 70, to become 4parallel therewith. The knuckles 'I3 are then arranged adjacent to the sides or shoulders 69 and receive the horizontal portions of the tongues '12. The sides or shoulders 69 take the end thrust from the rib sections 50 and the knuckles 13 take the strain oi of the tongues 12, since they are arranged to engage the side 68. A ller block 73', formed of plastics or the like, is inserted into the U-shaped portion 68 and is held therein by cement or the like, this filler block has recesses Hl to receive the knuckles 'I3 so that the ller block does not interfere with the relative swinging movement between the rib sections t' and intermediate rib 61. This provides a flat continuous face for the intermediate rib 61 next to the wearer.

All other parts of the garment remain identical with those shown and described in connectio-n with Figure 16.

In Figures 2A and 25 I have shown a further modified form of short intermediate rib. This rib is designated by the numeral 'M and is stili and may be formed of brass coated with Celluloid. The short rib is formed to provide a U-shaped portion l5, having horizontal ends or shoulders 16, carrying end portions 11. T-shaped slots 18 .are provided, the horizontal portions of these .slots being formed in the Vertical end portions 11, vwhile the longitudinal portions of the slots are also formed in the end portions Il and in the .shoulders 'It and extend to the side of the aU-shaped portion 75. The rib sections 5t have T-shaped extensions 'IS at their inner ends. In assembling, the rib section Sil is disposed upon the outer side of the intermediate rib 14, and arranged at a right angle with relation thereto, and the T-shaped extensions 79 are passed through the horizontal portions of the slots 18, after which the rib section 50 is swung vertically to become parallel with the end portion Tl, the T-shaped extension then engaging above or inwardly of the shoulder 16. The rib section 55V is thus hinged to the intermediate rib 74. A ller block 80 formed of plastic or the like, is preformed and introduced into the U-shaped portion l5, and held therein by cement or the like. This filler block has recesses 8| for accommodating the ends of the extensions 79, so that the hinged action between the rib sections 50 and intermediate rib 'M is not disturbed. The iiller block 8i! provides intermediate rib 'I4 with a continuous flat face next to the body. All other parts of the garment remain identical with those shown and described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figure 16.

While I have shown the invention as embodied in a girdle, it may also be used in a corselette or like garment. l' also contemplate covering the outer or front face of the panel 26 with decorative fabric, so as to conceal the stitching.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the Same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement oi parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A girdle or like garment, comprising a body portion, upstanding long rib sections, means forming a knee joint hinge between theI inner ends of the long rib sections so that the long rib sections may swing outwardly individually and function as a continuous rib for body control, a short rib hinged between its ends to one long rib section adjacent to the end of such long rib section, and means to secure the long rib sections to the body portion.

2. A girdle or like garment, comprising a body portion, upstanding long rib sections, means forming a knee joint hinge between the inner ends of the long rib sections so that the long rib sections may swing outwardly individually and function as a continuous rib for body control, short ribs hinged between their ends to the long rib sections adjacent to the outer ends of such long rib sections, and means to secure the long rib sections to the body portion.

3. A girdle or like garment, comprising a body portion having pocket means, a long rib, a short rib, said short rib having a transverse shoulder and laterally offset end portions, the inner end portion overlapping the long rib and arranged next to the body, a ller carried by the outer end portion for forming a substantially continuous inner face next to the body, and means to hinge the short rib to the adjacent end of the long rib, the end of the long rib being arranged to contact with the transverse shoulder, the long and the short ribs being held within the pocket means.

4. ,A rib device for a girdle or the like, comprising a rib, a second rib provided between its ends with a transverse shoulder to engage the' end of the first rib, and means for forming a hinged connection between the second and first ribs.

5. A rib device for a girdle or the like, comprising a rib, a second rib having a transverse shoulder to engage the end of the iirst rib to take the end thrust, the rst rib having an opening near its end, and a tongue carried by the second rib and passed through the opening for forming a knuckle.

6. A rib device for a girdle or the like, comprising rib sections, an intermediate rib arrangement near the inner ends of the rib sections, the intermediate rib having lateral shoulders to engage with the inner ends of the rib sections to take the end thrust, and means forming hinged connections between the intermediate rib and the inner ends of the rib sections.

7. A rib device for a girdle or the like, comprising rib sections, an intermediate rib arrangement adjacent to the inner ends of the rib section, said intermediate rib including a U-shaped portion and oppositely extending end portions, the U-shaped portion forming transverse shoulders for engagement with the inner ends of the rib sections to take the end thrust, and means for forming hinged connections between the intermediate rib and the inner ends of the rib sections.

8. A rib device for a girdle or the like, comprising a rib provided at its end with an outwardly projecting apertured knuckle, a second rib having a lateral shoulder and provided with a wide slot and a narrow tongue within the wide slot, the wide slot extending through the second rib and its shoulder and the narrow tongue being arranged in substantially the planes of the second rib and shoulder, the apertured knuckle being inserted into the wide slot and threaded upon the narrow tongue.

9. A rib device for a girdle or the like, comyprising a rib provided at its .end with a'headed extension, a second rib havingfa lateral shoulder,

the `second rib having a 'slot extending through the ,shoulder land provided `at its end remote `i'rom the shoulder with a 'laterally-enlarged por- Y tion 'to receivey `the 'head of the extension.

10. A girdle comprising a body portion, a long :pocket 'formed `upon the body portion, a short pocket formed upon the body portion near I"one rend of the long pocket and `extending longitudinally Yof the long pocket, said short pocket having a wide pocket portion next to the end of the long 4pocket and extending laterally beyond the long pocket anda narrow pocket portion remote from the end of the long pocket, a long rib held within the long pocket and having its end projecting into the short pocket, vand :a short `rib 'hinged between its ends to the end of the long yrib toswing in a plane at substantially a right 4'angle to the face of the long rib, u Athe short rib having an outer end portion projecting -beyond vthe end of 'the long rib and an inner end portion Voverlapping the end portion of the long rib 4to engage therewith, the outer end of the short rib entering the narrow pocket portion andthe inner end portion of the short ribextending in'to the wide pocket portion, the wide Kpocket portion extending laterally beyond the inner end portion of the short rib and thereby permitting of freedom of movement of the :inner end portion of the short rib yfrom the long rib.

11. A girdle comprising a body portion, an upstanding long pocket formed upon the body portion, an upstanding short pocket formed upon v fthe bodyr portion near the topio'f the body por- '-ti-on,fsaidvs`hortpocket having a lower Wide pocket fportion next to-the vend of the lon-g pocket and a narrow pocket vportion'remote from the end of the long pocket, `a long rib held within `the "long pocket and having its upper end projecting into the short pocket, anda short rib hinged between its ends to the upper end of the long rib to swing in a plane at substantially `a right Aangle to the face of the long rib, the vshort `rib l,

having an outer end portion projecting beyond the end oi the long vrib and an inner end portion overlapping the-end vportion of the long rib, the outer end portion lof lthe short rib entering the narrow pocket portion and the inner end ,portion'of the short rib entering the wide pocket portion, the wide Vpocket'portion extending laterally beyond the inner end portion of the short rib and thereby permitting of freedom of movement of the inner end portion of the short rib from the long rib.

12. A girdle comprising a body portion which is foldable at its top, an upstanding short pocket formed upon the body portion adjacent to its top, said short pocket having an uppernarrow pocket portion closed at its top and a wide lower pocket portion open at its bottom, an upstanding long pocket formed upon the body portion and having its upper end open and disposed adjacent to the lower wide pocket portion which extends laterally beyond the long pocket, a long rib held within the long pocket and having its upper end projecting into the short pocket, and a short rib hinged between its ends to the upper end of the long rib to swing in a plane at substantially a right angle to the face of the long rib, the short rib having an outer end portion projecting beyond the upper end of the long rib and an inner end portion overlapping the end portion of the long rib, the outer end portion of the ks'hortrib ventering the narrow pocket `portion and the inner end portion of the -short rib entering the wide pocket portion, the wide'pooket portion lextending laterally beyond-the inner end portion of the-short Arib and thereby permitting `of (freedom `of umovement of' the inner end porftion of thelshort rib Afrom `the long rib.

'13. A girdle or like garment which is atleast inpart circumferentially elastic in use, a panel lsecured to the body portion and which is vertically non-elastic, the top portion of `the panel including two layers, stitching securing the Ilayers together and forming an upstandingfshort pocket, the short `pocket including an upper narrow pocketportion `closed Aat its top and a 'lower Wide pocket portion open at its bottom, an upstanding ylong ypocket formed upon the panel and having its upper end vopen and arranged ladjacent to the wide pocket portion which kprojects laterally beyond 'the long pocket, a long 'rib held within the long pocket and having its :upper end projectinginto the short pocket, and

ashort3rib hinged between its ends to the upper end of the long rib to swing in aplane at sub- :s'tantially a right angle to the face of the long rib, the short rib having an outer end portion yprojecting beyond 'the upper end ofthe long rib and an inner end portion overlapping the end portion of the long rib, -the outer endportion of ,the short rib entering the 'narrow pocket portion and the inner end portion of the short rib entering the wide pocket portion, the wide pocket ,portion 'extending laterallybeyond the inner end ,portion ofthe shortrib and thereby permitting of ,freedom of movement of the inner end portion of the short rib from the long rib, the

.short pocket being foldable transversely upon :a generally horizontal line substantially at the 'hinged connection between the short rib and long rib.

1.4. A girdle or vlike garment, comprising a body portion, a panel secured to the body portion, an

elastic strip secured to the top of the panel, the top of the panel being folded upon itself toprovide opposed layers, stitching connecting the opposed layers torform an upstanding short pocket,

the short pocket having an upper narrow pocket 4port'ionclosed at its top and a lower wide pocket portion open at its bottom, the elastic strip forming at least a portion of one side of the lower Vwide pocket portion, ,an upstanding long pocket formed upon the `panel and having its upper end open and arranged adjacent to the lower open end of the wide pocket portion which projects laterally beyond the long pocket, a long rib held within the long pocket and having its upper end extending into the short pocket, and a short rib hinged between its ends to the upper end of the long rib to swing in a plane at substantially a. right angle to the face of the long rib, the short rib having an outer end portion projecting beyond the upper end of the long rib and an inner end portion overlapping the end portion of the long rib, the outer end portion of the short rib entering the narrow pocket portion and the inner end portion of the short rib entering the wide pocket portion, the wide pocket portion extending laterally beyond the inner end portion of the short rib, the elastic strip included in the Wide pocket portion being arranged next to the inn'er end portion oi the short rib, the size of the wide pocket portion and the elasticity of the side thereof permitting of freedom of movement of the inner end portion of the short rib from the long rib, the short pocket being foldable transversely yupon a generally horizontal line substantially at the hinged connection between the short and long rib.

15. A girdle or like garment, comprising a body portion, an upstanding long pocket formed upon the body portion and having its upper end open, an upstanding short pocket formed upon the body portion and arranged adjacent to the upper end of the body portion, the short pocket including opposed sides one of which is horizontally elastic, the short pocket being open at its lower end, the lower open end of the short pocket being disposed adjacent to the upper open end of the long pocket, a long rib held within the long pocket and having its upper end projecting into the short pocket, a .short rib hinged between its end to the upper end of the long rib to swing in a plane at substantially a right angle to the face of the long rib, the short rib having'an outer end portion projecting beyond the upper end of the long rib and an inner end portion overlapping the end of the long rib, the outer end portion of the short rib entering the upper end of the short pocket and the inner end portion of the short rib being arranged within the lower portion of the short pocket adjacent to the open end thereof and the horizontally elastic side.

16. A girdle, comprising a body portion having upstanding pocket means extending adjacent to the topY of the body portion, a long rib held within the pocket means, a short rib arranged within the upper end of the pocket means and provided near its longitudinal center with a generally horizontal shoulder arranged over the upper end of the long rib to contact therewith and take the end thrust from the long rib, means connected with the short rib for hinging the short rib with the upper end of the long rib so that the short rib can be swung in a plane at substantially a right angle to the face of the long rib, the short rib having an outer end portion projecting beyond the upper end of the long rib and an inner end portion overlapping the end of the long rib and arranged upon the inner face of the long rib.

.17. A girdle or like garment, comprising a body portion including a part which is vertically nonelastic, a vertically elastic strip sewed to the vertically non-elastic part for forming' an upstanding pocket, a portion of the stitching being omitted to increase the elastic action of a portion of the elastic strip, a long rib Within the pocket, and a short rib Within the pocket and hinged between its ends to the end of the long rib to swing in a plane substantially at a right angle to the face of the long rib, the short rib having an outer portion projecting beyond the outer end of the long rib and an inner portion overlapping the end portion of the long rib, the short rib being arranged adjacent to the omitted portions of the stitching.

18. A girdle, comprising a exible body portion having upstanding pocket means extending adjacent to the top of the body portion, a resilient long rib held within the pocket means, a short rib within the upper end of the pocket means, and means connected with the short rib near its longitudinal center for hinging the same to the upper end of the long rib so that the short rib can be swung in a plane at substantially a right angle to the face ofthe long rib, the short rib having an outer end portion projecting beyond the upper end of the long rib and an inner end portion overlapping the end of the long rib and arranged upon the inner face of the long rib next to the wearer and forming with the long rib an outwardly swinging knee-joint, the short rib being adapted to cover the upper end of the long rib when the short rib is swung with relation to the long rib and to be shifted bodily with the long rib by virtue of the hinged connection.

HENRY M. HERBENER.

REFERENCES errno The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

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